Convention Insider

In a Mass offered on the feast of the Transfiguration, Aug. 6, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori said that members of the Knights of Columbus can “behold the divine origin” of the Order’s original two principles of charity and unity by climbing Mount Tabor with the Apostles and beholding the glory of God.

The festive atmosphere of the States Dinner, where Knights and their families wave flags and sing songs from their respective jurisdictions, took on a more somber tone Tuesday evening during the keynote addresses of two archbishops from the Middle East who spoke about the persecution of Christians in their countries, where the faith dates back to the time of the Apostles.

In a beautiful and reverent Eastern Catholic liturgy filled with chanting, song and solemn ceremony, the Knights of Columbus highlighted its recent expansion into Ukraine and expressed solidarity with the people of that country, who have suffered war and unrest in recent years.

Calling the gathering of more than 2,000 Knights of Columbus and their families “the first chapter of the World Meeting of Families,” Archbishop Charles Chaput welcomed the 133rd Supreme Convention to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Beginning their participation in pre-convention events, more than 80 state chaplains gathered for Mass on Monday, Aug. 3, at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, where the bodily remains of the fourth bishop of Philadelphia are interred.

While Fran O’Hara, Pennsylvania state warden, worked patiently at the convention registration desk, handling last-minute details and requests from Knights waiting in line, his wife was greeting all attendees with a big smile and answers to many questions.